22-year-old Irish sportswoman dies suddenly months after moving to NZ

A 22-year-old Irish sportswoman has died “suddenly and unexpectedly” just months after moving to New Zealand.

According to a report by Stuff, Kaylin O’Hanlon Geary, from County Monaghan, moved to Mid-Canterbury in July and had recently become involved with the Rakaia Gaelic Athletic Association (RGAA).

Her family in Ireland said in a death notice that Geary died in New Zealand on Tuesday, September 29.

The notice described her as “cherished and adored” by her family, Stuff has reported.

Geary joined the RGAA, where she took part in track and field events as well as Gaelic games.

The association paid tribute to her on social media, describing her as “our friend and player” and saying she “had already made a huge impact on us as a club and was known for her friendly nature and bubbly character,” as quoted by Stuff.

The club said it would not hold its usual training session following her death and would instead gather as a community.

According to Stuff, the association said it would “meet up as a community at the church in Rakaia... and say a prayer for Kaylin and her family at home in Ireland.”

The tribute ended: “May she rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sí.”

Messages of sympathy were shared by Gaelic clubs and communities following the announcement.

Geary’s former club in Ireland, Glaslough Harriers AC, also paid tribute to her following her death, describing it as “the loss of one of our own”.

“Darkness fell on the track this week,” the club said. “Kaylin was part of a family deeply woven in the heart and history of our club. We will miss her smile, her gentle way with the kids, and the quiet words of encouragement she always had for those around her,” Stuff has quoted.

Tributes also came from people in her hometown of Monaghan, including one resident who sent “deepest sympathy to all Kaylin’s teammates and friends in New Zealand”, Stuff has quoted.

Another described Geary as “such a lovely kid”.

A memorial service for Geary will be held on Wednesday at 7pm at Memory Funerals Ashburton, as reported by Stuff.